Bait casting fishing reel

ABSTRACT

A spool-type fishing reel is provided with a positive drive mechanism between the spool and the crank handle including a positive acting clutch which selectively disengages the spool from the drive mechanism for free spooling and is disengaged by a lever positioned to be engaged by the thumb of the angler during casting, and upon release conditions the clutch to be engaged upon line payout. An adjustable drag mechanism acts on the direct drive mechanism to retard spool rotation on line payout, when the clutch is engaged.

Y United States Patent [191 Rankin, Jr.

[4 1 Mar. 12, 1974 1 BAIT CASTING FISHING REEL [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 197221 Appl. No.: 314,692

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 73,748, Sept.21, 1970,

abandoned,

[52] US. Cl. 242/212, 242/84.5 R [51] Int. Cl, A011 89/02 [58] Field ofSearch 242/211, 212, 213, 214,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,104,850 9/1963 Wood242/212 2,536,583 l/195l Tank 242/216 2,478,111 8/1949 Kilian 242/84.5lR 3,171,609 3/1965 Baenziger 242/216 3,167,272 1/1965 Frode 242/2132,643,131 6/1953 King 242/217 2,263,836 11/1941 Balz et a1. 242/2162,129,386 9/1938 Schafer 242/219 Primary Examiner-Billy S. Taylor I gAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Peter J. Murphy; Cecil L.

Wood

[57] ABSTRACT A spool-type fishing reel is provided with a positivedrive mechanism between the spool and the crank handle including apositive acting clutch which seleo tively disengages the spool from thedrive mechanism for free spooling and is disengaged by a leverpositioned to be engaged by the thumb of the angler during casting, andupon release conditions the clutch to be engaged upon line payout. Anadjustable drag mechanism acts on the direct drive mechanism to retardspool rotation on line payout, when the clutch is engaged.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PAIENTEB MR I 2 H74 'sascnura ATTORNEYPATENTED MR 1 2 I974 SHEEI 2 [IF 3 R m E V m Marvin L. Rankin, Jr. BY

ATTO RNEY PATENIEBIMI 12 I974 SHEU 3 OF 3 INVENTOR. Marvin L. Rankimdr.

ATTORNEY BAIT CASTING FISHING REEL This is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 73,748, filed Sept. 21,1970, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tocontrol mechanisms for bait casting fishing reels.

One problem which faces users of bait casting reels is the occurrence ofa backlash, particularly at an inopportune tine, and it is desirabletherefore that various controls which are provided on bait casting reelsserve to assist the angler in preventing backlash.

One form of control device assists in preventing backlash, as well asfor other purposes, is an adjustable drag control for varying theresistance to line payout as the spool is rotated during the playing ofthe fishfln one type of adjustable drag mechanism, referred to as aconventional star drag, the drive mechanism between the crank handle andthe spool is a friction drive with means for varyingthe friction toincrease or decrease the drag as desired With this type of drive anddrag mechanism there is no direct or positive drive between the crankhandle and the spool and, while this is desirable for certain types offishing, it is preferred for other types of fishing to have a direct orpositive acting drive between the crank handle and spool as anadditional measure of control. I

For example, the fresh water fisherman prefers a positive drive forpositively reeling in the fish, and also the ability to positively-stopline payout to abruptly stop a fish in the water for better control.This type of control is not available with a reel having a frictiondrive. Along with these controls, the fresh water fisherman prefers tohave the advantage of an adjustable mechanical drag on the drivemechanism to obviate the backlash problem. This feature is not availableon known direct drive reels, and the fresh water fisherman who uses asalt water reel to obtain this advantage, loses the control advantage ofthe positive drive. I

An object of this invention is to obviate the disadvantages of knownreel control mechanisms by providing improved control mechanisms.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved controlmechanisms for a bait casting reel for obviating backlash.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a bait casting reelhaving a positive drive between the crank handle and spool and includingan adjustable drag effective upon withdrawing of line from the spool.

For accomplishing these objects, abait casting fishing reel, accordingto the invention, includes a positive drive mechanism for driving thespool and an associated adjustable drag mechanism for improved controlof a reel having a positive acting free spooling release clutch torelease the spool from the drive mechanism for casting.

The novel features and the advantages of the invention, as well asadditional objects thereof, will be understood more fully from thefollowing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bait casting reel accordingto the invention as mounted on a rod shown in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a view from the head side of the reel of FIG. 1 with a portionof the head cover broken away.

FIG. 3 is a view from the top of the reel as seen in FIG. 1 with aportion of the head cover broken away to show the drive mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the free spoolingrelease mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view of elements of the free spoolingclutch mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the elements and parts of the freespooling release mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the elementsand parts of the positivedrive and drag mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the drive gear shown in FIG. 7

FIG. 9 is a view from the head side of the reel of FIG.

1 with the head cover partially broken away to show an alternative formof ratchet pawl assembly for the drag mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of the ratchet pawl assembly of FIG. 9. I

FIG. 11 is a detail view of the pawl of FIGS. 9 and 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE IPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrateone form of bait casting fishing reel 10 including a housing defined bya head plate 11 and a tail plate 12 spaced by suitable spacer bars andhaving a spool 13 rotatably supported between the head and tail plates.The spool is rotated through a positive drive mechanism including acrank handle 14 and a drive gear 15 coupled by a drive shaft 16, and thespool pinion 17 driven by the drive gear, with the spool pinion beingcoupled to the 'spool' through a positive engaging, free spoolingrelease clutch. A control bar 19 pivotally mounted between the head andtail plates controls the positive engaging clutch. An adjustable dragmechanism includes a ratchet wheel 20 and pawl 21, with the ratchetwheel coacting with friction elements nonrotatably mounted on the driveshaft to-retard rotation of the positive drive mechanism.

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate another form of bait casting reel ofgenerally similar configuration, with only the head plate 26 beingshown. A spool 27 rotatably supported between the head and tail platesis rotated by a positive drive mechanism including a crank handle 28 anddrive gear 29 coupled by a drive shaft 30 which includes an integralcarriage screw for the level wind mechanism, and a spool pinion 31 whichis coupled to the spool through a positive acting free spooling releaseclutch operated by a control bar 32.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1 THROUGH 11 Referring now in detail to the reel ofFIGS. 1 through 11, the housing for the reel includes head and tailplates 11 and 12 respectively which are assembled in spaced relationthrough several spacer bars 34 and 35. A tongue 36 is secured to thelower spacer bars by means of which the reel is secured to a fishing rodin a well-known manner. The head and tail plates have respective covers37 and 38 which serve to enclose and protect operating parts mounted onthe plates, and are decorative as well.

The spool 13 includes end flanges which are received within suitableopenings in the head and tail plates, and the spool is nonrotatablyfixed to a spool shaft 40 which is rotatably supported in suitablebearings in the respective plate covers .37 and 38. As best seen in FIG.4, the spool shaft includes a larger diameter portion which extendsthrough the spool and is provided at the head end with diametricallyopposed flats or flat surfaces defining a clutch tang 41. A smallerdiameter shaft extension 42 extends to a supporting bushing 43 in thehead cover 37.

A clutch assembly 44 whch includes the spool pinion l7 and a clutchmember 45 spaced by an intervening washer defining a collar 46, issupported for rotation and for limited axial shifting on the shaftextension 42. The clutch member includes confronting axially extendingbosses defining a transverse groove 48, dimensioned to receive theclutch tang 41, and axially facing cam surfaces 49 which engage theaxially facing surface of the tang during clutch engagement to guide thetang gradually into the clutch slot, this to insure positive andimmediate clutch engagement when the spool is rotated through withdrawalof line.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the clutch assembly 44 is normally urged by acoil spring 52 to the clutch engaged position wherein the tang 41 isreceived in the clutch groove 48. The clutch is disengaged by shiftingthe clutch assembly 44 to the left as viewed in FIG. 4 against theforce'of the spring 52, and this shifting is effected by a lift bar 53'having a fork 54 which receives the clutch member 45 and is positionedunder the clutch collar 46. The end of the lift bar 53 remote from thefork 54 has mounted thereon a cam member 55 provided with opposing flatsurfaces which engage and are guided within a groove defined by parallelwall members 56 secured to the head plate 11. The coacting cam member 55and wall members 56 provide for reciprocating movement of the lift bar53 in a direction parallel to the spool axis.

For shifting the lift bar 53, the control bar 19 is an elongated flatmember having a pivot shaft 58 extending longitudinally therethroughadjacent to one edge to be pivotally anchored in the head and tailplates. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6 the shaft 58, at the head plateend, extends between the wall members 56 and has a cam member 59nonrotatably fixed thereto. The cam member 55 is provided with an axialbore which receives the end of the shaft 58 so that the cam members 59and 55 are axially aligned. These cam members are provided with matingfaces disposed in a transverse plane inclined relative to the shaft .58and being disposed to lie contiguous to'each other when the freespooling release clutch is engaged. When the control bar 19 is rotated,in a manner to be described, the cam member 59 is rotated relative tothe cam member 55 to effect axial separation of the cam members, and thelift bar 53 is shifted axially, with its associated cam member 55, toeffect the lifting of the clutch assembly 44 to disengage the freespooling release clutch.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control bar 19 is positioned on thereel to be conveniently operated by the thumb of the angler duringcasting. That is, when the angler grips the rod and positions his thumbto brake the spool in a normal manner, the thumb is also positioned todepressthe control bar 19 toward the rod to release the spool for totalfree spooling. At the end of the cast, when the bait strikes the water,the angler has normally braked the spool with his thumb. Then, uponreleasing the control bar 19, he free spooling clutch may be immediatelyre-engaed under the force of the spring 52, should the clutch tang 41and clutch groove 48 be appropriately aligned. Should these members notbe aligned, the clutch cam surfaces 48 will be urged against the tang 41in amanner that rotation of the spool and tang, through withdrawal ofline for example, will immediately engage the free spooling releaseclutch.

A conventional level wind mechanism for the reel 10 includes a shaft 60mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in the head and tail platesabout an axis parallel to the spool axis, the shaft 60 defining a levelwind worm gear between the head and tail plates. A level Wind guide 61driven by the level wind worm gear traverses the reel between the headand tail plates being guided on a guide bar 62. The shaft 60 extendsthrough the head plate 11 to provide a support for the drive gear 15 andthe drive shaft 16.

The shaft 60 is provided with a transverse pin 64 extending through theshaft adjacent to the outer face of the head plate 11, and the drivegear, as best seen in FIG. 8, is provided with a transverse groove 65 toaccommodate the pin 64 when the gear is assembled on the shaft '60. Inthis manner, the drive gear 15 is mounted on the shaft for rotationtherewith. Thedrive shaft 16 has an eared washer 66 mounted at its innerend which is received in a suitable recess 67 in the drive gear, as bestseen in FIG. 7, whereby the drive shaft is nonrotatably coupled to thedrive gear. The drive shaft is also provided with an axial bore toreceive the extension of the shaft 60-to maintain the shafts 16 and 60in axial alignment.

The drive shaft 16 is of a length to extend from the head plate 11through the head cover 37, and includes a larger diameter shank portionthreaded at its outer end to accommodate an internally threaded starwheel 68. A planar tang 69 is provided adjacent to the outer end of thelarger diameter portion to be received in a planar oval opening in thecrank handle 14 whereby the drive shaft is driven by the crank handle.The outer reduced diameter endof the drive shaft is threaded toaccommodate a nut 70 and associated lock washer to retain the crankhandle on the shaft. With this mechanism, rotation of the crank handleby the angler directly drives the spool 13 and the level wind worm gearin the shaft 60.

An adjustable drag mechanism for the reel 10 includes the followingelements which'are assembled on the drive shaft 16 in juxtaposedrelation from the eared washer 66 toward the outer end of the shaft,each of the elements having an internal diameter slightly larger thanthe diameter of the shaft shank portion. These elements are a firstfriction washer 72 formed of a fiber material such as asbestos, forexample, the ratchet wheel 20, a second friction washer73 identical tothe washer 72, a metallic backing washer 74, a helical spring 75 and asleeve 76.

In assembled relation, as best seen in FIG. 3, the sleeve 76 passesthrough a bearing opening in the head cover 37, and is received'withinthis opening in relatively close fitting relation to define a bushingfor the outer end of the drive shaft 16, and the sleeve is also axiallyslidable relative to the head cover as will be seen. These parts areretained on the drive shaft 16 by the star wheel 68 which is threadedonto the outer end of the shaft 16. Again, as best seen inFlG. 3, thewashers 72 and 73, the ratchet wheel 20 and the backing washer 74 areurged by the spring 75 toward the eared washer 66, and the force axiallycompressing these parts is adjustable through rotation of the star wheelrelative to the shaft. A boss 77 integral with the head cover 37 definesan inward facing shoulder for limiting outward movement of thisassembly.

A pawl 21 includes an integral sleeve shank which is pivotally supportedon a transverse pivot pin on the head plate to be engaged or disengagedwith the peripheral teeth of the ratchet wheel 20. As best seen-in FIGS.2 and 7, a C-shaped spring is retained on the ratchet wheel infrictional relation within a suitable annular groove so that the springwill tend to rotate with the ratchet wheel, and this spring has anaxially directed finger at one end which is received withinalongitudinal slot in the pawl 21. With this arrangement, when theratchet wheel is rotated in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2)the spring rotates the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheelteeth, and when the ratchet wheel is rotated in the other (clockwise)direction the pawl is disengaed from the teeth.

In operation, when the crank handle is operated to retrieve line, thepawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel. Conversely, when line isbeingwithdrawn from the spool and the drive mechanism is operated in areverse direction, the rotation of the ratchet wheel brings the pawlinto engagement to lock the ratchet wheel against rotations, and thefrictional force applied to the drag washers 72 and 73 through thespring and star wheel 68 provide an adjustable drag for the spool drivemechanism.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative form of ratchet and pawlassembly for performing the abovedescribed functions. In this form, aratchet wheel 80 is substantially identical in configuration to theabovedescribed ratchet wheel 20, butwithout the annular groove meansnecessary to support a C-shaped spring 78. A pawl 81 for engagement withthe ratchet wheel 80 includes an elongated arm and a transverse sleeveshank for pivotally mounting the pawl on an appropriate journal pin, andthe U-shaped plate spring 82 is fixed to the pawl arm defining paralleltines which extend radially inwardly relative to the ratchet wheel andare urged toward each other to bear against opposing faces of theratchet wheel.

. In this manner, the pawl is frictionally engaged with the ratchetwheel in a manner such that when the wheel is rotated in one direction(counterclockwise in FIG. 9) the frictional drag between the pawl springand ratchet wheel urges the pawl into engaagement with the peripheralratchet teeth, while rotation of the ratchet wheel in the opposite(clockwise) direction urges the pawl out of engagement with the ratchetteeth. This arrangement operates the same as that previously describedin that when the spool is rotated through withdrawal of line, the pawlis urged into engagement with a ratchet wheel to lock the wheel againstrotation whereby the adjustable drag is effective to retard rotation ofthe spool.

OPERATION In the operation of the reel, with the line retrieved the baitis cast in the usual manner. The angler grips the rod of the handle andhis thumb is positioned adjacent to the spool so as to be ready tomanually brake the spool when the bait strikes the water surface toprevent backlash. The control bar 19 is positioned so that when theangler has his thumb in the above-mentioned position to brake the spool,it rests on the bar depressing it downwardly toward the rod therebyeffecting the lifting of the clutch assembly 44 to disengage the freespooling release clutch so that the spool 13 is completely free of adriving mechanism.

As soon as thespool is braked, the angler shifts hi hand to grasp thehandle with one hand while operating the crank handle with the other toretrieve the line. As soon as the operating bar 19 is released throughremoval of thumb pressure the free spooling clutch is engaged under theforce of the spring 52. Should the clutch groove 48 be aligned with thetang 41 at the moment of releasing the bar 19, the clutch willimmediately re-engage. If these members are not aligned, the camsurfaces of the clutch member 45 will engage the tang, and upon relativerotation of the clutch member 45 and spool shaft 40 the clutch willengage under the urging of the spring.

Should a fish strike the bait immediately upon striking the watersurface, or before the angler grasps the crank handle, the rotation ofthespool caused by with drawal of line will rotate the spool shaftrelative to the clutch member -45 to bring these parts into clutchengaging alignment, and the clutch parts will be eased into positiveengagement through the riding of the tang along the sloping cam surfaces49. If the bait is not struck by a fish, rotation of the crank handlewill cause the same relative rotation of the clutch member and spoolshaft 40 to effect the gradual and positive engagement of the clutch.

Following clutch engagement, during rotation of the spool by crank, thepawl is urged by the associated pawl spring out of engagement with theratchet wheel, whereby the ratchet wheel rotates with the drive shaft toprovide for free line retrieval through the direct drive mechanism.Should a fish strike the bait during line retrieval, withdrawal of theline from the spool will effect reverse rotation of the direct drivemechanism bringing thepawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel teethto provide the drag on the drive mechanism in accordance with the starwheel adjustment. Because of the direct drive mechanism, the crankhandle will be rotated in reverse during line withdrawal.

If desired, the angler may stop line withdrawal by grasping the crankhandle to prevent its rotation, stop the spool rotation through themechanical advantage provided through the direct drive mechanism. Whenthe fish stops running, line is again retrieved in the usual manner.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 12 THROUGH 15 FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate thereel 25, according to the invention which is generally similar instructure and operation, but which has a modified form of drivemechanism. The reel is provided with a free spooling clutch mechanismhaving the same configuration as that already described and beingoperated by a control bar 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the drive shaft is integral with thelevel wind worm gear, with the worm gear portion 85 extending betweenthe head and tail plates being supported in suitable bearings orbushings in these plates. The shaft 30 is again provided with atransverse pin 86, just outside the head plate 26, to be received in atransverse groove 87 in the drive gear 29 whereby the gear isrotationally coupled to the shaft in the manner of the previouslydescribed assembly.

The parts for the drag assembly are similar to those previouslydescribed and include a first drag washer 88, a ratchet wheel 84, asecond drag water washer 89, a helical spring 90 and a sleeve 91, allhaving an internal diameter to be closely supported on the drive shaft30. These parts are retained on the drive shaft by a star wheel 92 whichis threaded onto the drive shaft in the manner described to provide anadjustable frictional forceacting on the ratchet wheel 80. In thisarrangement, the parts are compressed between the drive gear 29 and thestar wheel 92. The drive shaft 30 is provided with a planar tang 93 tobe received in the oval opening in the crank handle 28 to couple thecrank handle to the shaft in nonrotatable relation. The crank handle isretained on the shaft by an acorn nut 94 threaded onto the reduceddiameter threaded end portion of the drive shaft.

The ratchet wheel is controlled in the manner already described througha pawl 96 having the same configuration'as the previously described pawl81.

In assembled relation, as best seen in FIG. 13, the sleeve 91 passesthrough an opening in the head cover 97 and is supported in a bushing 98received in the head cover opening. The sleeve 91 then slides axiallywithin the bushing 98 to provide the tension adjustment for theadjustable drag control, and the sleeve rotates within the bushing 98for rotational support of .the outer end of the drive assembly.

The operation of the reel in FIGS. 12 through 15 is identical to that ofthe reel 10 of FIGS. 1 through 11.

What has been described are bait casting fishing reels having improvedcontrols providing control functions not available in conventional reelsof this type.

A particular feature and advantage of a reel according to the inventionis the combination of a positive drive for the spool and an adjustabledrag control. For fresh water fishing, particularly where the fishingwaters contain obstructions around which the fish may entangle the line,it is desirable to be able to abruptly stop the fish in the water andthis can only be done with a positive drive. When the fish is takingline, the crank handle in the reel according to the invention, isrotating in a reverse direction, and the angler may positively stop linepayou by simply grasping the handle and, through the mechanicaladvantage provided by the drive mechanism, prevent spool rotation.Additionally,

the angler can positively reel in the fish when this is desired.

While these are features of known fresh water reels, the combination ofthe adjustable drag mechanism provides additional advantages. Should afish strike the bait during line retrieval with such force that theangler loses the crank handle, the drag feature will prevent a backlashat a most opportune time. During the playing of the fish, the angler canuse the combination of the adjustable drag mechanism with manual thumbbraking to control the running of the fish, while having the advantageof the control to abruptly stop the fish if desired and to positivelyreel it in through the positive drive mechanism.

What is claimed is: l. A bait casting fishing reel comprising a spool; apositive drive mechanism for said spool including a spool pinion, adrive gear for driving said pinion, a crank handle, and a drive shaftcoupling said crank handle and said drive gear; said positive drivemechanism positively coupling said spool pinion and said crank handle atall times; adjustable drag means associated with said positive drive.mechanism for retarding rotation of said spool and said drive mechanismwhen operated by payout of line from said spool; said adjustable dragmeans including disc means axially and nonrotatably fixed on said driveshaft defining a first transverse bearing face, a ratchet wheelrotatably mounted on said drive shaft having a second bearing faceconfronting said first bearing face, resilient means on said shaft forurging said ratchet wheel toward said disc means, star wheel meansadjustably mounted on said shaft for selectively and variablycompressing said resilient means; and pawl means on said reelforengagement with said ratchet wheel to permit rotation of said ratchetwheel with said drive shaft and disk means in only one direction toeffect the reeling in of line. 2. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1wherein said reel includes a level wind worm gear for operating a levelwind line guide; and means coupling said level wind worm gear, saiddrive gear and said drive shaft in axially aligned nonrotatable relationas a unitary assembly. 3. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid level wind worm gear is defined by an integral extension of saiddrive shaft. 4. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein saiddrive gear is axially and nonrotatably mounted on said drive shaft; andwherein said drive gear defines said first bearing face. 5. A fishingreel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ratchet wheel definesoppositely facing bearing faces; a pair of drag washers rotatablymounted on said shaft, disposed contiguous to the opposite bearing facesof said ratchet wheel; and said resilient means comprising a helicalspring disposed on said drive shaft for urging said ratchet wheel andsaid drag washers toward said disc means bearing face. 6. A fishing reelas set forth in claim 5 wherein said reel includes head and tail plates,said spool being rotatably mounted between said head and tail plates;

a head cover defining an enclosure for said head plate; said spool drivemechanism being enclosed within said head cover;

said head cover providing an opening for said drive shaft; a sleevemember disposed on said shaft between said helical spring and said starwheel means, said sleeve member defining a bushing for the outer end ofsaid drive shaft assembly.

7. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disc means is adisc member integral with said drive shaft, defining said first bearingface.

8. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 selectively disengageablepositive acting clutch crankhandle and said drive gear;

adjustable drag means associated with said drive mechanism for retardingrotation of said spool and said drive mechanism when operated by payoutof line from said spool;

said adjustable drag means including disc means axially and nonrotatablyfixed on said drive shaft defining a first transverse bearing face; aratchet wheel rotatably mounted on said drive shaft having a secondbearing face confronting said first bearing face; resilient means onsaid shaft for urging said ratchet wheel toward said disc means, starwheel means adjustably mounted on said shaft for selectively andvariably compressing said resilient means; and pawl means on said reelfor engagement with said ratchet wheel to permit rotation of saidratchet wheel with said drive shaft and disc means in only one directionto effect the reeling in ofline.

1. A bait casting fishing reel comprising a spool; a positive drivemechanism for said spool including a spool pinion, a drive gear fordriving said pinion, a crank handle, and a drive shaft coupling saidcrank handle and said drive gear; said positive drive mechanismpositively coupling said spool pinion and said crank handle at alltimes; adjustable drag means associated with said positive drivemechanism for retarding rotation of said spool and said drive mechanismwhen operated by payout of line from said spool; said adjustable dragmeans including disc means axially and nonrotatably fixed on said driveshaft defining a first transverse bearing face, a ratchet wheelrotatably mounted on said drive shaft having a second bearing faceconfronting said first bearing face, resilient means on said shaft forurging said ratchet wheel toward said disc means, star wheel meansadjustably mounted on said shaft for selectively and variablycompressing said resilient means; and pawl means on said reel forengagement with said ratchet wheel to permit rotation of said ratchetwheel with said drive shaft and disk means in only one direction toeffect the reeling in of line.
 2. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1wherein said reel includes a level wind worm gear for operating a levelwind line guide; and means coupling said level wind worm gear, saiddrive gear and said drive shaft in axially aligned nonrotatable relationas a unitary assembly.
 3. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid level wind worm gear is defined by an integral extension of saiddrive shaft.
 4. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein saiddrive gear is axially and nonrotatably mounted on said drive shaft; andwherein said drive gear defines said first bearing face.
 5. A fishingreel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ratchet wheel definesoppositely facing bearing faces; a pair of drag washers rotatablymounted on said shaft, disposed contiguous to the opposite bearing facesof said ratchet wheel; and said resilient means comprising a helicalspring disposed on said drive shaft for urging said ratchet wheel andsaid drag washers toward said disc means bearing face.
 6. A fishing reelas set forth in claim 5 wherein said reel includes head and tail plates,said spool being rotatably mounted between said head and tail plates; ahead cover defining an enclosure for said head plate; said spool drivemechanism being enclosed within said head cover; said head coverproviding an opening for said drive shaft; a sleeve member disposed onsaid shaft between said helical spring and said star wheel means, saidsleeve member defining a bushing for the outer end of said drive shaftassembly.
 7. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said discmeans is a disc member integral with said drive shaft, defining saidfirst bearing face.
 8. A fishing reel as set forth in claim 1selectively disengageable positive acting clutch means operatIve betweensaid spool and said pinion to release said spool from said drivemechanism for free spooling thereof.
 9. A bait casting fishing reelcomprising a spool; a drive mechanism for said spool including a spoolpinion, a drive gear for driving said pinion, a crank handle, and adrive shaft coupling said crank handle and said drive gear; adjustabledrag means associated with said drive mechanism for retarding rotationof said spool and said drive mechanism when operated by payout of linefrom said spool; said adjustable drag means including disc means axiallyand nonrotatably fixed on said drive shaft defining a first transversebearing face; a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on said drive shafthaving a second bearing face confronting said first bearing face;resilient means on said shaft for urging said ratchet wheel toward saiddisc means, star wheel means adjustably mounted on said shaft forselectively and variably compressing said resilient means; and pawlmeans on said reel for engagement with said ratchet wheel to permitrotation of said ratchet wheel with said drive shaft and disc means inonly one direction to effect the reeling in of line.